Most stolen guitars are not stolen by thieves — they are taken from unsecured cases, open cars and unattended backstage areas. A few habits plus the right locking hardware close most of those gaps.
Hard Case Locks
Hard cases usually come with latches that accept a padlock. Add small padlocks to every latching point — one latch alone is barely a deterrent. Keyed-alike locks (one key opens all your cases) are worth requesting on new cases and OEM orders.
Gig Bag Security
Soft bags rarely have lock points. Options include:
- Luggage locks through the zipper pulls (works on bags with paired zippers).
- Lockable zipper pulls that snap together and take a small lock.
- Cable locks through the handle loop around a fixed point in the van or backstage.
Van and Vehicle Habits
- Never leave instruments visibly in a parked car — cover or take them out.
- Lock the van; a cable lock through case handles and van anchor points helps in high-risk areas.
- Park where the van can be seen from the venue if possible.
Backstage Habits
- Keep cases closed and latched, even between sets.
- Never leave instruments in an open green room; stack cases in a corner and keep an eye on them.
- Photo your instrument, serial number and case in one shot — it helps recovery and insurance.
Insurance Note
Instrument insurance is cheap relative to the instrument. Keep receipts, photos and serial numbers. If you tour, check that the policy covers theft from vehicles and venues, not just the home.
If you order custom cases, ask your factory about lock options and keyed-alike hardware — it is a small production detail that makes a real difference on the road. Discuss case hardware options with our team.